Pressure-transmitting controller.



F. E. & a. F. MILLS.

PRESSURE TRANSMITTING CONTROLLER. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 1; 1914.

1,136,478. Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

maid

unrrsn sra'rns Parana OFFICE.

FRANCIS E. MILLS AND EDWARD F. MILLS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ERESSUBE-TRANSMITTING CONTROLLER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ratented Apr. 20, 1915.

Application filed October 1, 191a. Serial No. 864,422.

I drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

' The invention to be hereinafter described relates to pressure transmitting controllers for automatically determining the pressure of fluid that shall be transmitted to a container from a source of fluid supply.

As well known by those skilled in the art, it is now the common practice to inflate pneumatic tires by means of an air supply under high pressure or anair pump driven by power and connected to the valve cylinder of the tire by means .of a flexible tube. For the best results pneumatic tires should be inflated to a predetermined pressure dependent upon the character or size of the tire itself, and as one means to this end, it has been proposed to provide'the tube conand tire with a gage, so that when the pressure has reached a predetermined amount, the attendant may stop the continued supply of'a r to the tire. Obviously, the attendant must Watch the gage and stop the inflow of air to the tire when the desired pressure is reached. Should his attention be diverted and he reflect to do as stated serious injury to the liable to result. With these general consul-e: m HlS in view, the aims and purposes ofj 'ic p.--i ent invention are to provide means whereby when the air in the tire or other receptacle has tea. .ed

the desired pressure further inflow of air will be automatically stopped, all as will be more fully describedin connection with the accompanying drawings showing one form of means for carrying the vinventlon into practical effect, it being understood that the invention is not l mited to the particulars of the means shown and described but in its true scope is definitely pointed out by the claims.

In the drawings :-Figure l is a side view, showing portions of a wheel with a pneumatic tire thereon and the connections between the source of air supply and the valve cylinder with the present invention interposed 111 said connection. Fig. '2 is an en- Fig. 2. Fig. & shows one practical form of scale to indicate the pressure to which the device of the present invention is adjusted.

\Vhile the invention isshown as associated with tire inflating means, and While the following description will set forth its use in exploitation of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention may be employed to automatically determine the pressure that will be transmitted to any receptacle into which it is desired to deliver a predetermined pressure. In the illustrated forin of the invention, however, certain fea tures are peculiarly adapted to the use or" the device of the present invention for the inflation of pneumatic tires as will'more fullyappear. 5 I

The wheel 1 to which the pneumatic tire 2 may be applied, as indicated in Fig. 1 may be of any usual character and the tire may be secured thereon in any desired way. As

matic tires are each provided with a valve I cylinder 3- which projects through a portion necting the source of air supply or pump of the wheel rim and contains the usual valve held to its seat by the pressure of the air within the tire. These features may be all as usual and being well understood by those skilled in the art need no further explanation. In order to inflate the, pneumatic tire, the valve cylinder 3 is usually connected by a flexible tube 4 to a source of fluid or air pressure, such as a reservoir of compressed air or a pump. In the absence of some means to prevent undue inflation of the tire, it will be clear that unless the attendant is careful and Watchful of the air inflow, serious injury may be done the tire by over inflation, or the tire may not be inflated to the desired predetermined extent. In this latter case, as will be readily understood, the tire is more readily susceptible to punctures.

To overcome both of the above difliculties the present invention contemplates the in- J terposition of means, between the source offiuid pressure and the tire or other -receptacle, which, when the-tire or receptacle has been inflated to the desired predetermined amount will automatically stop further inflow of air thereto.

] One form of means tothe above ends is clcarlyindicated inv Figs. 2 and 3, said means comprising a head 5, having an air- (ill assage 6, to which may be connected the tube 7 leading from the source of fluid pressure supply. At the side of the head opposite the connection between the tube 7 and the passageway 6, said head has an extension 8, provided with a passageway 9, preferably in prolongation of the air-passage 6.

On the end portion of the extension 8 is a coupling 10 adapted to connect the extension 8 with the'valve cylinder 3 of the pneumatic tireor other receptacle. 1. Projecting; from one side of the head '5 is a portion 11 having a chamber 12, Fig. ,3,

in which slides a piston or head 13, having a stein or'rod extension 14 adapted. to slide in an openin extending through the side portion 15 o the head. The stem or rod extensionlel is provided with an enlarged end.por,tion l6 securely fixed thereto and be tween said head portion and the face of the portion 15 of the head interposed a flexible. washer, preferably of rubber 17. Ex-

tending. longitudinally. of the stem 14 is a vent 18, the outer end portion 19 of which is covered by the portion 15 of the head when the piston 13 and parts are in the position as indicated in Fig. 3, which position, for the purpose of identification and description, may be regardr-das the normal.

position ol.tl'1c, piston l3 and stem 14.

. sage 15.

From the construction thus tar-"described r it Wlll be apparent that if air pressure 1s produced in the passage-way (3 this pressure will be transmitted into the chamber 12' and into portion 2111f the chamber between the head- 13 of the transversely movable plunger and the wall of the head, the construction being such that should the trans-w:rsuly: movable plunger be lrve to-move, sucli ,airpressure would cause movement thcreot' in a direction longitudinally of the stem 14, thereby exposing the outlet cnd portion ID-of the passage-way l8 bcyomtthe thereof the portion lziaoi -the head. Extending substantially at right air-- gles to the chamber 12 is another. chamber.

23 in 5 which is.longitudinally moyable a plunger or'piston 24 having a;locl;ing-portion 25, adapted to engage in .t'ront of. the

piston 13, as indicated in Fig. 3. In order to properly form an air-tight joint b'etween the piston 24 and walls of chamber 23a rubber OP'OiZlll yielding pack 26 may em ployed, the locking portion 25 being reie'rably formed as an interi orly threade nut circular in cross sectionjto engage the screw threads of the exteriorly threaded rod .27.

Mounted upon rod 27 is a cap 28, having an extended portion 29, adapted to bear upon the extension 30-01? the piston 24, the said cap 28 affording at one face a proper seat for oneen'd of a'spring31, the other end- J of which spring is seated upon a loose cap piece 82, Fig. 2, the construction being i as will, more fully appear, that the expandthe piston 24;, and, perforce the locking piece 25, into locking position, as indicated in Fig.

ing action'of the spring 31 normally forces I 3, at which time, the locking piece 25' bears upon the inner surface of the piston 13 and prevents longitudinal movement of the stem l 14. Should, however," the pressure of air in the chamber 12 rise'suliiciently to overcome the tension of thespring 31, then such pressure of air upon the piston 24 Will be' sullicicnt to overcome the action of the spring and force the plunger :Z lItogether with the locking-piece to the left, Fig. 3, thereby withdrawing the locking piece 25 from en-' g'agcment with the piston 13, and allowing the latter together with stem 14 to move upwardlyfl i'g. and uncover the-open end'19 ofthe passage-nay in,the stem 1 l.- So long, howcver, as the parts remain lll position as indicated by Fig. 3 the air transn'iittcd'to the passage-way t Fig. '2, will be'directed..f

through the passage-way J in the projection '8 and delivmetl to the/tire or otherreccP' tacle, but when the piston 2t is moved by.

the accumulatedpressure in the passage-.-

way '(i and chan'iber 12, asabove indicated," .the transversely movable plunger or reliefvalve, .as it may be termed, Wlll be moved lo open position and permit the air to escape by way of the vent or passage '18. In otherv words, when the pressure of air being deliv:

cred to the tire has rcachvda predetermined 'lluid through the passageway (Sto escape without, further inflating the tire or other rvct-phu-lv. \l'hcrc the flexible tube 71s'con- :nrcted'to a pump thesiuldcn impulsesgivcn do theair prcssurc 1n the passage-way 6' should not be permitted to exert their full impulsive force upon the top of the piston :14lmtshouhlbe modified to maintain in'the chamber 12 a substantially uniformly ini'creasing pressure asdetermined by the air pressure in the tire. To this end thevent 20 leading from the-passageway (3- to the, chamber 12 is made sulliciently small to check the impulse.

As'hcrein'before generally indicated, ditferent characters or sizes of'tires require different pneumat c pressures and to accomamount, the piston J-i will be moved to free -thc transversely inmable plunge-r or r'ehef," ralve and to thereafter permit-the low of msesve the spring 31 and is detachably threaded at 312 to the lower end portion of the projection 11 of the head.

From the construction thus far described will be apparent that by turning the adjusting screw 33, the tension of the spring 31 may be increased or diminished in accordance with the pressure which it is desired should free the transversely movable plunger as heretofore explained.

In order that the adjustment of the s ring Lnay be made to conform to the di erentpressures desired in the pneumatic tire or receptacle, a pressure scale is provided to indicate the amount of pressure per square inch that must be exerted on the piston 2% to move said piston longitudinally and to unlock the tranversely movable plunger or -Trelief valve. Any convenient form of scale may be employed for this purpose but as shown in the drawings the tube 35 is provided with a scale 37 extending longitudinally as indicated in Fig. t and the adjusting'screw'33, Fig. -2, is attached to a sleeve 38, whereby upon turning movement of the sleeve 38 the screw 3-3 will be turned to adjust the tension of the spring 31 and the scale 37 will indicate the air pressure which must be exerted on the piston 24 to unlock the transversely movable plunger. The scale 37 in connection with the sleeve 38 may be formed as a micrometer or other character of gage, the purpose being that the scale shall accurately indicate the adjustment of the spring and the air pressure required for such adjustment to permit the relief of the tire from further inflation of air. lhe tubes ill-4.35 form convenient means for rnanipulating the device of the present invention and serve as a handle to permit the device to be held in position for attachment to the valve cylinder of the tire as indicated in Fig. 1.

From the construction described it will be noted that when the head 5 is connected to the inlet opening of a tire or other receptacle and also to a source of fluid pressure supply that such fluid pressure will be trans mitted through the passage-way 6 into the tire or receptacle and will also be exertedv upon the top of the piston 24. \Vhen, however, the fluid pressure has reached the predetermined pressure in the tire or other receptacle as indicated by the adjustment of the spring 31 in the manner herein before described the piston 24 will be moved to the left, Fig. 3, and the transversely movable plunger will be freed from this locking control to establish connection between the atmosphere and the passage-way 6, through the passage-Way 18.

Various detail changes may be made in features of the construction without departing from the true spirit of the invention as pointed out by the claims.

The action of the piston 24 under the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 12 is sen- 4 sitive and when once the device is placed in position for use and the fluid pressure started therethrough, the attendant may withdraw his attention and turn to other work in hand, with confidence that when the tire shall have reached the predetermined degree of inflation, further inflow of fluid thereto will be automatically stopped.

It may sometimes happen that the tension of the spring 31 will vary in use so that the scale 37 as established might not be absolutely accurate, or in placing another spring of somewhat difierent tension invthe place of the established scale might not be appropriate. To overcome this objectionable condition in either case means are being provided to adjust the tension of the spring irrespective of the scale adjustment so that regardless of variation-in the spring tension due to either long continued use or the substitution of one spring for another the same established scale may still be employed. To this end the seat 28 for the end of spring 31, at the right, Figs. 2 and 3, is preferably connected to the rod 27 by means of screw threads as indicated in saidjfigures, whereb the initial pressure of the spring may be regulated to accord with the. usual scale. When thus regulated it is desirable that the full force of the spring 31 shall not be trans mitted against the stem 14 of the transversely movable plunger or relief valve, and there is thus provided a washer 39 having an opening large enough for the passage of the end portion 30 of the piston 2d, but too small for the larger portion 29 of the spring seat 28, the construction being such ,that when the parts are adjusted for use and the relief valve is locked in closed position as indicated by Fig. 3 the part 29 of the spring seat'will bear upon the face of the washer and relieve the stem of the relief valve 13 from the stress of the spring.

What is claimed is a I l. A pressure transmitting controller for automobile tires, comprising a head having a passageway for the transmission of air pressure, means for connecting said passageway with the tire to be inflated and her communicating with said passageway, a

pressure relief valve associated with said chamber and adapted-to be opened to rehave the air pressure therein, and a lock nor 'mally acting to positively hold the relief valve in closed position and acting auto matically when the air pressure in said chamber reaches a predetermined amount to unlock said valve and permit it tdopen.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a head having a passageway for the transmission of air, means for connecting the passageway to a source of air-pressure supply and to a receptacle to be supplied with air pressure, a valve chamber communicating with said passageway, a relief valve movable.longitudinally in said valve chamber, a lock movable transversely to the relief valve movement and normally acting to hold the relief valve closed, said lock having a head'to-receive the air pressure in the valve chamber and acting automatically to free the relief valve whenthe air pressure has reached a predetermined amount. I y

3; In a pressure transmitting controller, the combination of ahead having a passageway adapted to transmit air pressure from a source of supply to a-receptacle to be supj plied, ayalve chamber communicating with said passageway, a pressure relief valve .as-

sociated with said chamber and adapted to,

be opened by the air pressure in said charm her, a. lock normally acting to hold the relief valve closed and acting automatically when the pressure in said chamber. reaches a predetermined amount to unlock said valve and permit it to open. 4. In a pressure transmitting controller,

the combination of a head having a passage. way for transmitting air pressure from a 7 source of supply to a receptacle to be supplled, said head also having a valve chamher the wall ofwhich is provided .with a.

passageway smaller than and communicating with the passageway in,the head, a repassagcwayga relief va lve in said chamber,.

a yielding lock for norn'ially holding'the relief valvefcloscd and acting automaticallv when the air pressure in the said chamber reaches a predetermined amount to free the val-(e to movement, and means for adjusting the yieldabili'ty of the lock.

6. "A' pressure transmitting controller, comprising a head-having a passageway for the transmission of air pressure from a source of supply to a receptacle to be sup- -plied and a valve chamber communicating with said-passageway, a valve in said chamber having an'air passage, a lock normallyacting tofhold the said'valve-in position with said air passageclosed and acting automatically when theair pressure; in said chamber" has reached a'predetermined amount to free said valve and permit it to establish communication between said assageway and theoutside air through sai air passage.

7. A pressure transmitting controller, comprising a head having a passageway for the transmission of air pressure from a source of supply to a receptacle and a valve chamber communicating with said passageway, a valve in said chamber having a stem rovided .with a relief'airpassage, a 100 ing device, a spring acting through said look i g device to hold the valve in closed position and adapted to' yield when the air pres sure in said chamber reaches a predeter mined amount to free said valve that it may establish communication between said passageway and .the relief air passage. V

8.- A pressure transmittin g controller, rem-- outside air through said prising a head havinga passageway for the" transmissionof air pressure from a"sou rce of supply to arecept'acleand'a' valve c'h'amher commimicatmg v thfsald' passageway, a"

valve in said chamber having a stem pro-' vided with a relief "arr' passage, a locking device, a spring acting throughs'aid looking device to'hol'd the valve in closed position and adapted to yield ivhen, the air pressure in saidchamber reaches a'predeter minedamount to free said vjalvethat it establish communication between said passageway and the outside a1'r through said relief air passage and means to adjust the] spring.

9. In a device of the character described the combination of a head havinga pas-"J sageu'ay for transmitting air pressure from a source of supply to a receptacle, a valve chamber, a relief valve having a stem ex} tending through the side otsaid head, said stem having an enlarged portioma yielding Washer interposed between the head and said enlarged end portion, a yielding lock acting normally to hold said valve in closed posi' tion with the enlarged end portion of the stem pressed. against said yielding washer vand acting automatically when the airpres? sure in said chamber reaches a 'predet'er mmed amountto unlock said valve and' pernut the escape of air from sald chamber.

10. "In a device of the character described,

the combination of ahead or casing having .a passageway for thetrimsmisiori of air pressure from -a source of supplyt'oare ceptacle, a valve'chamber communicating with said 7 passageway, a'relief valve, a rod havin a locking portion t'o normally hold the relief valve inclosed position, a spring to hold the said locking portion in looking position and yielding when the pressure in said chamber reaches a predetermined amount to permit the relief valve to open, and means for varying the action of the spring.

11. A pressure transmitting controller, comprising a head having a passageway for the transmission of air pressure from a source of supply to a receptacle, a valve chamber communicating with said passageway, a relief valve having an air passage, a vent establishing air communication between said passage and valve chamber and a lock to hold the relief valve normally in closed position and acting automatically to free said valve when air pressure in the said chamber reaches a predetermined amount.

12. 'A pressure transmitting; controller, comprising a head having a passageway for the transmission of air pressure from a source of supply to a receptacle, a valve chamber and relief valve communicating with said passageway, said head having a projecting portion provided with a chamber, a piston and lock movable in said projecting portion, a rod carrying said piston-and lock and a spring acting to hold the piston and lock in locking position and permitting the same to automatically move to unlocking position when the air pressure in the saidchamber reaches a predetermined amount.

13. A pressure transmitting controller,

comprising a head having a passageway for" the transmission of air pressure from a source of supply toa receptacle, a. valve chamber and relief valve communicating with said passage way, said head having a projecting portion provided with a chamber, a piston and lock movable in said projecting portion, a rod carrying said piston and lock and a spring acting to hold the piston and lock in locking position and permitting the and a casing connected to rounding the spring. 15. In a pressure transmitting controller,

the combination of a head having a passame to automatically move to unlocking position when the air pressure in the said chamber reaches a predetermined amount and means to adjust the tension of the spring.

14. A pressure transmitting controller, comprisinga head having a passageway for the transmission of air pressure froma source of supply to a receptacle, a valve chamber and relief valve communicating with said passageway, said head having a projecting portion provided with a chamber, a piston and lock movable in said projecting portion, a rod carrying said piston and lock and a spring acting to hold the piston and lock in locking posti'on and permitting the same to automatically move to unlocking position when the air pressure in the said chamber reaches a predetermined amount the head and sun- FRANCIS E. MILLS. 3 I EDWARD F. MILL S.

Witnesses:

FLORENCE M. 'MoCLosK'EY,

B. Toarmnson. 

